Social Science Majors
Social Sciences are the study of how societies function. Social Science majors can complete the Bachelor of Arts Three-year, B.A. Four-year or B.A. Honours in all of the majors listed below (unless otherwise noted).
Following is general information about our majors and programs. For specific Degree Requirements, please see academic requirements information handouts.
Anthropology
Anthropology is the comprehensive study of humans as cultural beings, past and present, in comparative, cross-cultural and holistic light. The Anthropology Program at the University of Saskatchewan offers training that emphasizes the role of culture in human behaviour, and that exposes students to human evolutionary, environmental and language development and adaptation. The program demonstrates particular expertise in medical, environmental and applied anthropology, emphasizing indigenous studies, globalization, the anthropology of gender, and psychological anthropology, with active research programs in local, international, urban, and institutional contexts. More...
Archaeology
Archaeology is the study of the artifacts and other material remains of past human societies. Through this study the characteristics of past human technologies are revealed, as well as the time periods at which they existed. The archaeology program focuses on past cultures from two parts of the world: the North American plains, and the Near East and adjacent Mediterranean regions. The application of natural science methodologies in the analysis of archaeological materials is an important part of archaeological research. More...
Economics
The undergraduate program in the Department of Economics, one of the oldest in Canada, provides students with the theoretical and empirical tools to comprehend, assess and analyze the many pressing issues and problems in our society, many of which contain a significant economic component. The department offers a variety of courses in economic theory, quantitative economics, public policy economics, and historical economics. The Business Economics Program provides students with a rigorous background in both economics and commerce. More...
Geography
Geography studies the interaction between humans and the environment with emphasis on spatial aspects of that interrelationship, i.e. locations, distributions, and changes in patterns of location and distribution over time. The discipline is usually divided into physical and human sections. The department also offers minors in the following areas: Physical Geography, Human Geography, Urban Planning, and Geographic Information Systems. A work/study Co-operative Education option for Geography majors is also available. More...
Linguistics
See Interdisciplinary Programs. The B.A. Three-year or Four-year degree in Linguistics may be taken as a Humanities or Social Science program. More...
Native Studies
Native Studies concerns issues important to Aboriginal peoples. You will have the opportunity to learn about aboriginal experiences from present-day challenges to pre-contact histories. The Social Science and Humanities traditions offer a wide range of approaches and an appreciation of the complexity of Native Studies. Courses offered regularly range from the criminal justice system, health issues, resource management to Indian and Métis history, Aboriginal politics, and research methods. More...
Political Studies
Political Studies examines how people organize their collective affairs using governments, how the resulting states interact in the international system, and how the relationships among individuals and between individuals and their governments are carried out in the process commonly referred to as politics. More...
Psychology
Psychology is the science that studies behaviour. It affects almost every facet of our lives. With the complexity of our modern world, psychologists fill an increasingly important role in solving human problems. How can we help children with learning disabilities to keep up with their classmates? Is it possible to restore vision to a blind person through brain implants? What types of therapy are most effective in treating depression? How can mental illness be prevented? How can racial prejudice be reduced? What are the best ways to raise children? Can we improve our environment in such a way as to reduce aggression, alienation, and crime? Other areas of exploration concern brain functioning addressed in cognitive psychology, perception, and physiological psychology. More...
Sociology
Sociology is the systematic study of human social life. It is concerned with understanding changes in social structure and human interaction at the individual, societal, and global levels. Students major in Sociology to increase their knowledge about the social world, to develop social research skills, and to prepare for a variety of careers in areas such as policy-making, social analysis, positions in government agencies, community affairs, business, and teaching. An Aboriginal Justice and Criminology Program provides specialized training for students of Native ancestry interested in careers in the criminal justice system. Sociology graduates are also involved in research, publishing and careers in all of these areas. More...
Womens and Gender Studies
Explore the portrayal of femininity and masculinity in advertising, documentaries, pornography, new media, and feature-length films. See how the 19th and 20th centuries were envisioned by Hollywood and science-fiction writers. Examine the impact of the Indian Act and colonialism on aboriginal women. Analyze the intersections of race, class, age, disability, and sexual orientation and its impact on women’s and men’s health. These are just a few of the opportunities available to you when you choose to major in Women’s and Gender Studies. Women's and Gender Studies (WGST) is a program designed for both women and men. More...
Other Social Science Programs
Other Social Science programs in Arts and Science are Regional and Urban Development, International Studies, Land Use and Environmental Studies, Linguistics, and Public Administration (see Interdisciplinary Programs).
